FAVORITE FOODS THAT MAKE THAI PONGAL SPECIAL

Pongal is more than just a harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil community, it is an emotion deeply rooted in gratitude, togetherness, and tradition.

- By Yashmitha Sritheran

Observed as a thanksgiving to nature, especially the Sun God, rain, cattle, and the land, Pongal is incomplete without its rich spread of traditional foods.Each dish prepared during this festival carries not only a distinct taste but also a symbolic meaning, reflecting abundance, prosperity, and joy. From sweet delicacies to savoury comforts, Pongal cuisine plays a central role in bringing families together and preserving cultural identity.

At the heart of the celebration is Sakkarai Pongal, the signature dish that gives the festival its very name. Prepared using freshly harvested rice, green gram, jaggery, coconut milk, cashews, and raisins, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweetness and richness. The jaggery lends a deep, caramel-like flavour that feels earthy and comforting, while coconut milk adds a creamy softness. Each bite is enhanced by crunchy cashews and plump raisins fried in ghee, releasing an aroma that instantly signals festivity. Traditionally cooked in a clay pot and allowed to overflow, a gesture symbolising abundance, Sakkarai Pongal represents prosperity and gratitude for a successful harvest. It's warm, melt-in-the-mouth texture makes it both nourishing and celebratory.